Hiring for Skills, Not Degrees: The Good, the Bad, and the Reality Check
Control Your Career
What if your degree didn’t matter and your resume wasn’t the most important part of your job application? In this episode, Julia Toothacre sits down with Katie Rakusin, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Merit America, to unpack what competency-based hiring really looks like and why it’s changing how professionals get hired. Katie shares her journey from special education teacher to recruiting leader and explains why focusing on skills over pedigree creates more equitable and effective hiring processes. We cover the big questions job seekers are asking right now: Do you really need...
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Why are Job Seekers Ghosted by Employers?
Control Your Career
Think recruiters are ghosting you on purpose? Think again. In this episode, Julia Toothacre speaks with Orlando Haynes, North American Talent Acquisition Leader at The Mosaic Company. Orlando shares his journey from candidate to recruiter, emphasizing the importance of honesty in resumes and the hiring process. We talk about the volume recruiters are up against, how the applicant tracking system actually works, and why timing is everything when you’re applying. Orlando shares actionable advice for tailoring your resume without going overboard, how to prep for interviews with intention, and...
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Job Board Secrets Unveiled: Your Ultimate Guide to Job Searching Success
Control Your Career
Most job seekers are using job boards the wrong way and wasting time because of it. In this episode, Julia Toothacre interviews Julie Calli, Chief Marketing Officer at Lensa. They discuss how job seekers can effectively use job boards like Lensa. Key points include understanding the difference between job boards and job aggregators, utilizing AI tools for resume and cover letter enhancement, and the importance of personal branding. They also address job scams, the role of AI in hiring, and the benefits of job alerts. The episode emphasizes the need for job seekers to engage fully with job...
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Hiring Truths You Need to Hear: Mid-Season Recap
Control Your Career
Job search advice is everywhere, but what’s real and what’s outdated? I’m cutting through the noise and giving it to you straight. In this special episode, host Julia Toothacre, a career coach and strategist at Ride the Tide Collective, recaps the major takeaways from the first three episodes of the season and digs even deeper into key hiring and job search topics. She shares crucial clarifications about the ATS, resume writing, interviewing, and how the job market is shifting in 2025. Plus, Julia previews exciting conversations coming up in the second half of the season, including...
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How RTO Trends Impact the Job Search: Insights from a Senior Talent Leader
Control Your Career
Remote jobs sound great—until the company calls you back into the office. In this episode, Julia Toothacre talks with Lara Nichols, Senior Managing Director of Global Talent Management at Markel, who oversees recruiting across the U.S. and globally. With decades of experience in HR and talent strategy, Lara shares what job seekers need to know as return-to-office (RTO) policies evolve. They dive into how hybrid expectations differ around the world, what “remote” really means in 2025, and the hidden challenges of global hiring. Lara also shares what recruiters actually look for in...
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Layoffs, Doubt, and New Beginnings: How to Pivot in Uncertainty
Control Your Career
Getting laid off feels personal, even when it’s not. The shock, uncertainty, and pressure to find your next move can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to derail your career. In this episode, Julia Toothacre talks with Sylvanna Berkowitz, founder of Tribe Talent Partners. They discuss the evolving job market post-COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of sharing experiences on LinkedIn. Sylvanna shares her journey in recruiting, her recent layoff, and how it led her to focus on her own business. She dives deep into the emotional and professional challenges of a layoff, from the initial...
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How to Spot a Great Recruiter: Branding, Trust, and Red Flags
Control Your Career
What if the recruiter you’re working with is the reason you’re not landing interviews? In today’s job market, not all recruiters are created equal and knowing how to spot the right ones can make or break your job search. In this episode, Julia Toothacre interviews Oscar Chavez, also known as “Oscar from LinkedIn.” As a seasoned DVM recruitment manager in the veterinary services industry, Oscar brings years of experience in both agency and corporate recruiting, offering a unique perspective on how hiring truly works behind the scenes. What sets him apart is his personal brand. By...
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The Best Insights from Season Ten: Navigating Manager Expectations
Control Your Career
In this episode, host Julia Toothacre wraps up Season Ten, focusing on managers' expectations from employees and teams. Julia, a career coach and strategist at Ride the Tide Collective, reflects on her interviews with experienced managers. Key themes include the shift from in-office to remote work, the importance of empathy and relationship building, varying approaches to performance improvement plans (PIPs), and the need for proper training for managers. Julia emphasizes clear communication, accountability, and adaptability in management, providing actionable insights for listeners to...
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Understanding Hiring and Management Decisions in Nonprofit Organizations
Control Your Career
In this episode Marciee McDonald, a regional executive director with nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience shares the ins and outs of the nonprofit world, specifically around people management and hiring. We explore the unique challenges of the nonprofit sector, focusing on the impact of restricted vs. unrestricted funding on hiring and management and much more. Marcie shares insights on effective management styles, the importance of passion in nonprofit, and the necessity of clear communication regarding funding. This episode provides valuable advice for professionals navigating...
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How to Decode Leadership and Elevate Your Career with Dean Jenny Darroch
Control Your Career
I am thrilled to have Jenny Darroch, PhD, the esteemed Dean of the Farmer School of Business at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on the podcast. The conversation was rich with insights from Jenny’s corporate and academic life. We discuss Jenny's background, her leadership style rooted in dignity and respect, and the hiring process, including the importance of cover letters and traditional resumes in academia, and more. We also touch on the complexities of navigating higher education's hierarchical structure and recognizing one's place and value within an organization. From her...
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